POST IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION OF LAHORE-SHEIKHUPURA-FAISALABAD DUAL CARRIAGEWAY

Abstract

The transportation systems generally constitute the largest public-sector investment by any society. Quality and quantity of transportation infrastructure has direct influence on the global competitiveness and economic vitality of a nation. Transportation engineers and planners, policymakers, environmental groups, and the general public are interested in refined procedures of project evaluation. Thus there is a need of best project evaluation practices and monitoring of the expected impacts of alternative investment decisions and other stimuli on the operations of existing or planned transportation systems. Pakistan is a developing country where road infrastructure is the main mean of transportation. Every year hundreds of billions are invested on road infrastructure. Post implementation evaluation of transportation project helps to judge the effectiveness of the project after it has been in public use for some time. Post implementation evaluation can help in quantifying the cost and benefits of the transportation system over its lifecycle. Present study focused on post implementation evaluation of Lahore-Sheikhupura-Faisalabad Dual Carriageway, a four lanes highway that was constructed in 2006 as a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) project with a concession period of 22 years. Lahore-Sheikhupura-Faisalabad Dual Carriageway is a 115 Kilometer highway with five toll plazas. Post-implementation evaluation considered four performance criteria: economic efficiency, safety, vehicle operating cost and fuel cost. Post-implementation evaluation was carried out using highway maintenance and rehabilitation strategies proposed by facility operator (LAFCO) and realistic maintenance and rehabilitation strategy proposed in present study. Also, net present value of the project was quantified with and without travel time saving. Study results revealed that project had positive net present value under all scenarios. Using LAFCO maintenance and rehabilitation strategy, project had a travel time savings of Rs. 25.76 Billion safety savings of Rs -0.11 Billion, fuel cost savings of Rs. 3.824 Billion (2007 constant rupees). Also, net present value of toll collection is of Rs. 7.9 Billion (2007 constant rupees). Present research effort shows that BOT projects are economically viable and can be used by highway agencies in Pakistan for development of infrastructure. Also, methodology used in present study can be used by highway agencies for carrying out post-construction evaluation of their projects.